Display rack for wheelbarrow components

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a display rack for wheelbarrow components. The display rack includes a support structure extending above a ground level, and a top lateral support, a middle lateral support, and a lower lateral support, each cantilevered to the support structure. The top lateral support has a length sufficient to accommodate a front end of at least one wheelbarrow frame, and is spaced vertically from the ground level a distance sufficient to accommodate the wheelbarrow frame above the ground level. The middle lateral support has a length sufficient to accommodate at least one wheel, and is spaced vertically from the top lateral support a distance sufficient to accommodate the wheel. The lower lateral support has a length sufficient to locate and support at least one bucket, and is spaced vertically from the middle lateral support a distance sufficient to accommodate the bucket.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to display racks and, more particularly, display racks for wheelbarrow components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Retail hardware stores, gardening stores, and building centres typically display and sell assembled wheelbarrows. This requires that sufficient display space be available in the retail store. Display space is limited in a retail store, however, and it is important to the retail store operator to optimize usage of display space. Assembled wheelbarrows can occupy a significant amount of display space, especially where the retailer displays a variety of wheelbarrows.

[0003] Inventory control can also be difficult where the retailer displays assembled wheelbarrows. This is so because, in general, most of the retailer's inventory would be stored unassembled. In practice, the unassembled wheelbarrow components are often not stored in such a manner as to facilitate inventory control.

[0004] Also, the wheelbarrow is usually assembled by a retail store employee, so that the retailer incurs costs in assembling the wheelbarrows. Depending on the competitive pressures to which the retailer is subject, the retailer may not be able to recover these costs.

[0005] In summary, the display and sale of unassembled wheelbarrow components offers many advantages to the retailer. However, the display of unassembled wheelbarrow components should, ideally, occupy minimal display space.

[0006] There is a continuing need for a display rack for wheelbarrow components which occupies minimal display space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display rack for wheelbarrow components. The wheelbarrow components include a plurality of buckets, a corresponding number of wheelbarrow frames, and a corresponding number of wheels. Each wheelbarrow frame has a front end adapted to receive a wheel and support a bucket, and each bucket is adapted for coupling to the wheelbarrow frame. Also, the buckets are adapted to nest with each other. In short, the display rack has a support structure extending above ground level, a top lateral support, a middle lateral support, and a lower lateral support. The length of the top lateral support is sufficient to accommodate the front end of at least one wheelbarrow frame. Also, the top lateral support is cantilevered to the support structure and spaced vertically from the ground level a distance sufficient to accommodate the wheelbarrow frame above the ground level. Similarly, the length of the middle lateral support is sufficient to accommodate at least one wheel. In addition, the middle lateral support is also cantilevered to the support structure and spaced vertically from the top lateral support a distance sufficient to accommodate the wheel. Finally, the length of the lower lateral support is sufficient to locate and support at least one bucket. The lower lateral support is also cantilevered to the support structure and spaced vertically from the middle lateral support a distance sufficient to accommodate the bucket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a front view of a plurality of preferred embodiments of the display rack supported by an H-rack support structure, the preferred embodiments of the display rack having a plurality of wheelbarrow components positioned thereon;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a cross-section of the display rack of FIG. 1 and the H-rack support structure, drawn along line A-A in FIG. 1, with a plurality of wheelbarrow components positioned thereon;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the display rack of FIG. 1 and the H-rack support structure, drawn along line A-A in FIG. 1, drawn to a larger scale;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a back view of the display rack of FIG. 1, including an upright portion;

[0013]FIG. 5 is a front isometric view of another embodiment of the display rack, including a base portion and an upright portion;

[0014]FIG. 6 is a back isometric view of the display rack of FIG. 5;

[0015]FIG. 7 is a side view of the display rack of FIG. 5;

[0016]FIG. 8 is a front view of the display rack of FIG. 5;

[0017]FIG. 9 is a back view of the display rack of FIG. 5;

[0018]FIG. 10 is a front view of the display rack of FIG. 5 with a plurality of wheelbarrow components positioned thereon, drawn to a smaller scale;

[0019]FIG. 11 is a side view of the display rack of FIG. 5, with a plurality of wheelbarrow components positioned thereon, drawn to a smaller scale;

[0020]FIG. 12 is a side view of another embodiment of the display rack, including a pair of tie rods; and

[0021]FIG. 13 is a back view of the display rack of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0022] Reference is first made to FIG. 1 to describe a preferred embodiment of a display rack indicated generally by the numeral 20 in accordance with the invention. As can be seen in FIGS. 13, the display rack 20 includes a top lateral support 22, a middle lateral support 24, and a lower lateral support 26. The display rack 20 is adapted for use with a support structure 28 which extends above a ground level, or floor level, 30.

[0023] The display rack 20 is for displaying wheelbarrow components, which include a plurality of buckets 32, a corresponding number of wheelbarrow frames 34, and a corresponding number of wheels 38. Each wheelbarrow frame 34 has a front end 36 adapted to receive a wheel 38 and support a bucket 32, and each bucket 32 is adapted for coupling to the wheelbarrow frame 34. In addition, the buckets 32 are adapted to nest with each other.

[0024] The length of the top lateral support 22 is sufficient to accommodate a plurality of front ends 36 of wheelbarrow frames 34. In the preferred embodiment, the top lateral support 22 is cantilevered to the support structure 28 and spaced vertically from the ground level 30 a distance sufficient to accommodate the wheelbarrow frames 34 above the ground level 30. The top lateral support 22 is cantilevered to the support structure 28 in any suitable manner, as is known in the art. For example, the top lateral support 22 may be fastened to the support structure 28 using bolts inserted in holes drilled or otherwise formed in the top lateral support 22 and in the support structure 28 for that purpose.

[0025] The middle lateral support 24 is cantilevered to the support structure 28 in any suitable manner. The length of the middle lateral support 24 is sufficient to accommodate a plurality of wheels 38. In addition, and as can be seen in FIGS. 1-3, the middle lateral support 24 is spaced vertically from the top lateral support 22 a distance sufficient to accommodate the wheels 38.

[0026] The lower lateral support 26 is also cantilevered to the support structure 28 in any suitable manner. The length of the lower lateral support 26 is sufficient to locate and support at least one bucket 32. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the lower lateral support 26 is spaced vertically from the middle lateral support 24 a distance sufficient to accommodate a plurality of nested buckets 32. The middle lateral support 24 and the lower lateral support 26 are also cantilevered to the support structure 28 in any suitable manner.

[0027] In the preferred embodiment, the display rack 20 includes an upright portion 25, and the upright portion 25 is attached to the support structure 28. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, each of the top lateral support 22, the middle lateral support 24, and the lower lateral support 26 is cantilevered to the upright portion 25.

[0028] As can be seen in FIG. 4, in the preferred embodiment, the top lateral support 22 includes a pair of parallel top lateral support members 44, 46. While various other arrangements could be employed, in the construction shown in FIG. 4, the top lateral support members are welded to a top cross-piece 47. Also, the middle lateral support 24 includes a pair of parallel middle lateral support members 48, 50 and a middle cross-piece 51, and the lower lateral support 26 includes a pair of parallel lower lateral support members 52, 54 and a lower cross-piece 55.

[0029] As can also be seen in FIG. 4, the preferred embodiment of the display rack 20 also includes a brace 56 which is attached to the support structure 28 below and adjacent to the top lateral support 22. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the brace 56 is positioned orthogonally to the top lateral support 22, and is adapted to support the top lateral support 22. In the preferred embodiment, the brace 56 includes a plurality of holes 57 positioned at the ends of the brace 56. The holes 57 may be used to display accessories related to the wheelbarrow components displayed on the display rack 20.

[0030] The preferred embodiment also includes a top display plate 58 and a middle display plate 60. As can best be seen in FIG. 3, the top display plate 58 is attached to the top lateral support 22 distal to the support structure 28 and positioned transversely to the top lateral support 22. The top display plate 58 is adapted to locate the front ends 36 of the wheelbarrow frames 34 on the top lateral support 22. The top display plate 58 is attached to the top lateral support 22 in any suitable manner known in the art. While various other arrangements could be employed, in the construction shown in FIGS. 1-4, the top display plate 58 is welded to the top lateral support members 44, 46.

[0031] The middle display plate 60 is attached to the middle lateral support 24 distal to the support structure 28 and positioned transversely to the middle lateral support 24. FIG. 2 shows that the middle display plate 60 is adapted to locate a plurality of wheels 38 on the middle lateral support 24. The middle display plate 60 is also attached to the middle lateral support 24 in any suitable manner known in the art. As will be described in more detail, in the preferred embodiment, the middle display plate 60 is fastened to the middle lateral members 48, 50 by bolts.

[0032] The display rack 20 can be used with any suitable support structure 28. FIGS. 1-3 show the display rack 20 used with a support structure 28 which is of a type known as an “H-rack”. In use, the display rack 20 is typically not assembled when it is transported to a retail store. Usually, the display rack is first assembled after its arrival at the retail store, and the retailer attaches the display rack to any suitable support structure, such as an H-rack support structure, during assembly. If desired, the retailer can disassemble the display rack 20 for storage when the demand for wheelbarrow components decreases, due to changing seasons.

[0033] As can be seen in FIG. 1, a plurality of display racks 20 can also be used as a display rack assembly with a single support structure 28, for example, to display components of different models of wheelbarrows. In these circumstances, a plurality of display racks 20 disposed side by side is attached to the support structure 28. Each display rack 20 includes an upright portion 25. Each upright portion 25 is spaced from adjacent upright portions 25 a predefined distance sufficient to accommodate a width of a wheelbarrow frame 34 between adjacent upright portions 25.

[0034] In FIGS. 5-13, elements are numbered so as to correspond to like elements shown in FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 5 is a front isometric view of another embodiment of the display rack 120.

[0035] As can be seen in FIG. 5, the display rack 120 includes a base portion 122, an upright portion 125, a top lateral support 22, a middle lateral support 24, and a lower lateral support 26. The base portion 122 supports the upright portion 125 in a substantially vertical position. While various other arrangements could be employed, in the construction shown in FIGS. 5-9 and 11, the upright portion 125 is attached to the base portion 122 by means of brackets 121, 123 and fasteners (not shown), as is known in the art. The top lateral support 22 is cantilevered to the upright portion 125 and spaced vertically from the base portion 122 a distance sufficient to accommodate wheelbarrow frames 34 above the base portion 122. Also, and as in the preferred embodiment, the length of the top lateral support 22 is sufficient to accommodate a plurality of front ends 36 of wheelbarrow frames 34. FIG. 11 shows that the middle lateral support 24 is cantilevered to the upright portion 124 and spaced vertically from the top lateral support 22 a distance sufficient to accommodate a corresponding number of wheels 38. The lower lateral support 26 is cantilevered to the upright portion 125 and spaced vertically from the middle lateral support 24 a distance sufficient to accommodate the buckets 32. As shown in FIG. 11, the lower lateral support 26 has a lower lateral support length sufficient to locate and support a plurality of buckets 32.

[0036] As can be seen in FIG. 6, the base portion 122 has a central part 126 and two side parts 128, 130. The central part 126 defines a storage cavity 132. The storage cavity 132 is for storing the upright portion 125, the top lateral support 22, the middle lateral support 24, and the lower lateral support 26 when the display rack 120 is not assembled. In particular, when the display rack 120 is to be transported to a retail store, the upright portion 125, the top lateral support 22, the middle lateral support 24, the lower lateral support 26, and the brackets 121, 123 and such fasteners as are used in the display rack 120 can be placed in a cardboard box (not shown) sized to fit into the storage cavity 132, which is inserted into the storage cavity 132 prior to shipment.

[0037] In the preferred embodiment, the middle display plate 60 is releasably attached to the middle lateral support members 48, 50, so that the middle display plate 60 can be detached from the middle lateral support members 48, 50 to enable the middle lateral support 24 and the middle display plate 60 to fit within the storage cavity 132. It is for this reason, and for the sake of achieving uniformity of parts, that the middle display plate 60 is bolted to the middle lateral support members 48, 50 in the preferred embodiment of the invention. Other suitable ways of releasably attaching the middle display plate to the middle lateral support members 48, 50 are known in the art.

[0038] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the top lateral support members 44, 46 are parallel to each other and spaced apart a distance to be receivable in the storage cavity 132. Similarly, the middle lateral members 48, 50 are parallel to each other and spaced apart a distance to be receivable in the storage cavity 132, as are the lower lateral members 52, 54.

[0039] While various other arrangements could be employed, in the construction shown in FIGS. 5-9, the upright portion can be disassembled into two lengths 131, 133. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-11, the lengths 131, 133 are respectively receivable in the storage cavity 132.

[0040] As can be seen in FIGS. 5-6 and 8-9, the side parts 128, 130 also define fork receiving cavities 134, 136 respectively, which are adapted to cooperate with forks of a moving apparatus (not shown) to receive the forks. For present purposes, a moving apparatus is intended to include any forklift or pump truck or other apparatus having forks and used for moving displays and pallets and the like, as is known in the art. The fork receiving cavities 134, 136 therefore facilitate movement of the display rack 120 by the moving apparatus when wheelbarrow components are disposed thereon. It is advantageous to be able to move the display rack 120 with wheelbarrow components thereon to different locations at the retailer's premises, both within and without the store. For example, the retailer may choose to locate the display rack 120, with wheelbarrow components positioned thereon, outside the retail store, perhaps in the vicinity of the entrance to the store. Alternatively, the retail operator may choose to locate the display rack 120, with wheelbarrow components thereon, in a “garden centre” which is located outside the retail store. In each case, at closing time, the store operator would be able to move the display rack 120 into the retail store with wheelbarrow components thereon, using the moving apparatus.

[0041] When a plurality of display racks 120 are stored, with portions thereof stored in the storage cavities 132 respectively of a plurality of base portions 122 as described above, the plurality of base portions 122 can be piled upon each other in a stack for storage or transportation. As can be seen in FIGS. 5-6 and 8-9, the central part 126 of the base portion 122 is recessed on a bottom surface 129, and proud on a top surface 130. The central part 126 is adapted for cooperation with adjacent base portions 122 when a plurality of base portions 122 are stored in a stack. Because of this, lateral sliding movement of one base portion 122 relative to adjacent base portions 122 is hindered.

[0042] The base portion 122 also includes tabs 137, 138 positioned on the central part 126. The tabs 137, 138 also tend to hinder sliding movement of one base portion 122 relative to adjacent base portions 122 when the base portions are stacked for storage or transportation, as described above.

[0043] As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the display rack 120 can also include tie rods 140, 142, for stabilizing the upright portion 125. As can be seen in FIG. 13, the tie rods 140, 142 have lower ends 144, 146 which are attached to the tabs 137, 138 respectively, and upper ends 148, 150 which are attached to respective sides of the lower lateral support 26. Various other arrangements could be employed to stabilize the upright portion 125. For example, the upper ends 148, 150 of the tie rods 140, 142 could instead be attached to the middle lateral support 24. The attachment of the tie rods 140, 142 to the tabs 137, 138 and to the lower lateral support 26 can be done in any suitable manner, as is known in the art.

[0044] It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the invention can take many forms, and that such forms are within the scope of the invention as claimed. 

I claim:
 1. A display rack for wheelbarrow components, the wheelbarrow components including a plurality of buckets, a corresponding number of wheelbarrow frames, and a corresponding number of wheels, each wheelbarrow frame having a front end adapted to receive a wheel and support a bucket, each bucket being adapted for coupling to the wheelbarrow frame, and the buckets being adapted to nest with each other, the display rack having: (a) a support structure extending above a ground level; (b) a top lateral support having a top lateral support length sufficient to accommodate the front end of at least one wheelbarrow frame, the top lateral support being cantilevered to the support structure and spaced vertically from the ground level a distance sufficient to accommodate said at least one wheelbarrow frame above the ground level; (c) a middle lateral support having a middle lateral support length sufficient to accommodate at least one wheel, the middle lateral support being cantilevered to the support structure and spaced vertically from the top lateral support a distance sufficient to accommodate said at least one wheel; and (d) a lower lateral support having a lower lateral support length sufficient to locate and support at least one bucket, the lower lateral support being cantilevered to the support structure and spaced vertically from the middle lateral support a distance sufficient to accommodate said at least one bucket.
 2. A display rack according to claim 1 wherein the top lateral support includes a pair of top lateral support members parallel to each other and cantilevered to the support structure, the middle lateral support includes a pair of middle lateral members parallel to each other and cantilevered to the support structure, and the lower lateral support includes a pair of lower lateral members parallel to each other and cantilevered to the support structure.
 3. A display rack according to claim 1 additionally including a brace attached to the support structure below and adjacent to the top lateral support, the brace being positioned generally transverse to the top lateral support and adapted to support the top lateral support.
 4. A display rack according to claim 1 additionally including a top display plate attached to the top lateral support distal to the support structure and adapted to locate said front end of said at least one wheelbarrow frame on the top lateral support, and a middle display plate attached to the middle lateral support distal to the support structure and adapted to locate said at least one wheel on the middle lateral support.
 5. A display rack for wheelbarrow components, the wheelbarrow components including a plurality of buckets, a corresponding number of wheelbarrow frames, and a corresponding number of wheels, each wheelbarrow frame having a front end adapted to receive a wheel and support a bucket, each bucket being adapted for coupling to the wheelbarrow frame, and the buckets being adapted to nest with each other, the display rack having: (a) a base portion; (b) an upright portion, supported in a substantially vertical position by the base portion; (c) a top lateral support having a top lateral support length sufficient to accommodate the front end of at least one wheelbarrow frame, the top lateral support being cantilevered to the upright portion and spaced vertically from the base portion a distance sufficient to accommodate said at least one wheelbarrow frame above the base portion; (d) a middle lateral support having a middle lateral support length sufficient to accommodate at least one wheel, the middle lateral support being cantilevered to the upright portion and spaced vertically from the top lateral support a distance sufficient to accommodate said at least one wheel; and (e) a lower lateral support having a lower lateral support length sufficient to locate and support at least one bucket, the lower lateral support being cantilevered to the upright portion and spaced vertically from the middle lateral support a distance sufficient to accommodate said at least one bucket.
 6. A display rack according to claim 5 including a pair of tie rods extending from the base portion to respective sides of the lower lateral support, for stabilizing the upright portion.
 7. A display rack according to claim 5 wherein the base portion has a storage cavity for storing the upright portion, the top lateral support, the middle lateral support, and the lower lateral support when the display rack is disassembled.
 8. A display rack according to claim 7 wherein the base portion includes at least one fork receiving cavity adapted to cooperate with forks of a moving apparatus to receive the forks.
 9. A display rack according to claim 7 wherein the top lateral support includes a pair of top lateral members parallel to each other and spaced apart a distance to be receivable in the storage cavity, the middle lateral support includes a pair of middle lateral members parallel to each other and spaced apart a distance to be receivable in the storage cavity, and the lower lateral support includes a pair of lower lateral members parallel to each other and spaced apart a distance to be receivable in the storage cavity.
 10. A display rack according to claim 5 additionally including a brace attached to the upright portion below and adjacent to the top lateral support, the brace being positioned generally transverse to the top lateral support and adapted to support the top lateral support.
 11. A display rack according to claim 5 additionally including a top display plate attached to the top lateral support distal to the support structure and adapted to locate said front end of said at least one wheelbarrow frame on the top lateral support, and a middle display plate attached to the middle lateral support distal to the support structure and adapted to locate said at least one wheel on the middle lateral support.
 12. A display rack according to claim 7 wherein the upright portion can be disassembled into lengths which are receivable in the storage cavity.
 13. A display rack according to claim 8 wherein the storage cavity is positioned in a central part of the base portion, and the central part is positioned between two side parts, each side part defining one fork receiving cavity respectively, the central part being recessed on a bottom surface of the base portion and proud on a top surface of the base portion, said central part being adapted for cooperation with adjacent base portions when a plurality of base portions are stored in a stack.
 14. A display rack for wheelbarrow components, the wheelbarrow components including a plurality of buckets, a corresponding number of wheelbarrow frames, and a corresponding number of wheels, each wheelbarrow frame having a front end adapted to receive a wheel and support a bucket, each bucket being adapted for coupling to the wheelbarrow frame, and the buckets being adapted to nest with each other, the display rack being adapted for use with a support structure extending above a ground level, the display rack having: (a) an upright portion, supported in a substantially vertical position by the support structure; (b) a top lateral support having a top lateral support length sufficient to accommodate the front end of at least one wheelbarrow frame, the top lateral support being cantilevered to the upright portion and spaced vertically from the ground level a distance sufficient to accommodate said at least one wheelbarrow frame above the ground level; (c) a middle lateral support having a middle lateral support length sufficient to accommodate at least one wheel, the middle lateral support being cantilevered to the upright portion and spaced vertically from the top lateral support a distance sufficient to accommodate said at least one wheel; and (d) a lower lateral support having a lower lateral support length sufficient to locate and support at least one bucket, the lower lateral support being cantilevered to the upright portion and spaced vertically from the middle lateral support a distance sufficient to accommodate said at least one bucket.
 15. A display rack assembly for wheelbarrow components, the wheelbarrow components including a plurality of buckets, a corresponding number of wheelbarrow frames, and a corresponding number of wheels, each wheelbarrow frame having a front end adapted to receive a wheel and support a bucket, each bucket being adapted for coupling to the wheelbarrow frame, and the buckets being adapted to nest with each other, the display rack assembly being adapted for use with a support structure extending above a ground level, the display rack assembly having: a plurality of display racks disposed side by side, each display rack having: (a) an upright portion, supported in a substantially vertical position by the support structure, each upright portion being spaced from adjacent upright portions a predefined distance sufficient to accommodate a width of a wheelbarrow frame between adjacent upright portions; (b) a top lateral support having a top lateral support length sufficient to accommodate the front end of at least one wheelbarrow frame, the top lateral support being cantilevered to the upright portion and spaced vertically from the ground level sufficient to accommodate said at least one wheelbarrow frame above the ground level; (c) a middle lateral support having a middle lateral support length sufficient to accommodate at least one wheel, the middle lateral support being cantilevered to the upright portion and spaced vertically from the top lateral support sufficient to accommodate said at least one wheel; and (d) a lower lateral support having a lower lateral support length sufficient to locate and support at least one bucket, the lower lateral support being cantilevered to the upright portion and spaced vertically from the middle lateral support sufficient to accommodate said at least one bucket.
 16. Display rack components for a display rack for wheelbarrow components, the wheelbarrow components including a plurality of buckets, a corresponding number of wheelbarrow frames, and a corresponding number of wheels, each wheelbarrow frame having a front end adapted to receive a wheel and support a bucket, each bucket being adapted for coupling to the wheelbarrow frame, and the buckets being adapted to nest with each other, the display rack being adapted for use with a support structure extending above a ground level, the display rack components including: (a) a top lateral support having a top lateral support length sufficient to accommodate the front end of at least one wheelbarrow frame, the top lateral support having a proximate end adapted to be cantilevered to the support structure and a distal end adapted to locate said front end of said at least one wheelbarrow frame; (b) a middle lateral support having a middle lateral support length sufficient to accommodate at least one wheel, the middle lateral support having a proximate end adapted to be cantilevered to the support structure and a distal end adapted to locate said at least one wheel; and (c) a lower lateral support having a lower lateral support length sufficient to locate and support at least one bucket, the lower lateral support being adapted to be cantilevered to the support structure.
 17. Display rack components according to claim 16 wherein the top lateral support includes a pair of top lateral support members parallel to each other and adapted to be cantilevered to the support structure, the middle lateral support includes a pair of middle lateral support members parallel to each other and adapted to be cantilevered to the support structure, and the lower lateral support includes a pair of lower lateral support members parallel to each other and adapted to be cantilevered to the support structure.
 18. Display rack components according to claim 16 wherein the distal end of the top lateral support is defined by a top display plate and the distal end of the middle lateral support is defined by a middle display plate. 